21.   Most Essex funds are private, and the firm does not announce results.

22.   Only then did the firm announce a series of policies aimed at keeping women.

23.   Other consulting firms have also announced staff reductions as business has slowed.

24.   Several law firms announced Thursday that they had filed class action suits against Mercury on behalf of shareholders.

25.   So far, Wall Street firms have not announced many layoffs, though large investment banks said they would hire fewer people this year than last year.

26.   Some securities firms have already announced partnerships with other pan-European exchanges, however.

27.   The Ellerbe Becket architectural firm announced Wednesday that three managers have left after an unsuccessful bid to acquire its Kansas City sports facilities office.

28.   The Encino, Calif.-based firm also announced the acquisition of Omega Corporate Security, one in a series of purchases to bolster market share for the company.

29.   The firm announced on Friday that two women, Robin Neustein and Leslie Tortora, would join the management committee, the top executive group.

30.   The firm announced the appointment of David Viniar as chief financial officer and Barry Zubrow as chief administrative officer.